Apparatus for the diagnosis and treatment of bruxism

Abstract

The present invention is an apparatus for detecting and treating bruxism. The apparatus of the invention comprises a sensing unit, a calculation unit and a stimulation unit. The sensing unit is in charge of measuring the interocclusal distance and reporting this distance to the calculation unit. After receiving the information from the sensing unit, the calculation unit archives and processes the information to determine if the sensing event is a bruxism event. When a sensing event is confirmed as a bruxism event, the calculation unit selects an adequate stimulation and sends a request to the stimulation unit, which applies the selected stimulation. The apparatus of the present invention may be suitable for treating both diurnal and nocturnal bruxism and the intrabuccal components may be removed from the mouth when bruxism events are not expected to occur, i.e. during the day for an individual who suffers only from nocturnal bruxism.

1 . An apparatus for detecting and treating bruxism comprising three dedicated units, the elements of which are located into one or more components, wherein said units are:
 a) a sensing unit comprised of at least one element adapted to make measurements of distance:   b) a calculation unit adapted to determine distances from said measurements, to detect the possibility of the occurrence of a bruxism event from the value of said distances, to confirm that said possible event is an actual bruxism event that requires treatment, to make logic decisions, and to deliver a signal that a stimulus should be applied to end said confirmed event; and   c) a stimulation unit adapted to receive said signal from said calculation unit and to create and apply said stimulus to end said confirmed bruxism event;   
       said apparatus characterized in that at least one of said elements of said sensing unit are located in a component that is attached to a first tooth located in one jaw of a patient and the distance measurements made by said sensing unit are indicative of the interocclusal distance between said first tooth and the opposing tooth located in said patient's other jaw. 
     
     
         2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensing unit comprises at least one signal emitting element and at least one detector element configured in one of the following ways:
 a) one signal emitting element and one detector element are included in one component attached to a tooth of a patient;   b) one signal emitting element and one detector element are included in one component attached to a tooth of a patient and a passive element is attached to the opposing tooth in the other jaw,   c) one of said signal emitting elements is located in a first component, which is attached to a first tooth in one jaw of a patient and one of said detector elements is located in a second component, which is attached to the opposing tooth in the other jaw.   
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the calculation unit comprises a microprocessor, a dedicated software package, memory, two way communication means and an electronic circuit, wherein the elements of said calculation unit are included in at least one component. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the elements of the calculation unit are included in one component, which comprises at least one element of the sensing unit. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the calculation unit is adapted to detect a possible bruxism event if an interocclusal distance measured by the sensing unit is less than a predetermined threshold vale. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the calculation unit is adapted to confirm that a possible bruxism event is a real bruxism event on the basis of one or more of the following:
 a) a measured interocclusal distance and the duration of said possible bruxism event;   b) a measured interocclusal distance, the duration of said possible bruxism event, and the intervals between consecutive possible bruxism events; and   c) for a given individual, the bruxism history of said individual, wherein said history is continually updated by a self learning software program included in said calculation unit.   
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein, the calculation unit is adapted such that after it confirms that a detected event is an actual bruxism event that requires treatment, it can then decide if a stimulus should be applied, and if so it can send instructions to the stimulation unit to trigger and deliver a stimulus. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the stimulation unit comprises one or more of the following elements located in at least one component:
 a) an electro mechanical apparatus that generates vibrations or knocks;   b) means to generate an electrical stimulus;   c) means to generate an audible stimulus;   d) means to generate a visual stimulus;   e) means to generate a olfactory stimulus;   f) means to generate a gustatory stimulus; and   g) means to provide a medication.   
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the elements of the stimulation unit are contained in one component that comprises at least one element of the sensing unit. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the components containing elements of the calculation unit and/or the stimulation unit is attached to an external part of the patient or is placed at a location that is in sufficient proximity to the patient so that he will respond to the stimulus. 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the calculation unit is adapted in at least one of the following ways:
 a) to store predetermined information about the type, the duration and the level of the stimulus;   b) to randomly select the type, the duration and the level of the stimulus; and   c) to determine logically the type the duration and the level of the stimulus.   
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein each intrabuccal component is attached to a tooth by one of the following methods: fixed attachment method, fixed detachable attachment method, or detachable attachment method. 
     
     
         24 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus is adapted to be calibrated in at least one of the following ways:
 a) by a dentist when said apparatus is provided to a patient; and   b) by the patient or any non-professional person by using an external wired or wireless input apparatus.   
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the calculation unit is adapted to transmit data and statistical information to one or both of:
 a) a dentist who uses said data and statistical information for diagnostic and calibration purposes; and   b) the patient who uses said data and statistical information for informative or calibration purposes.   
     
     
         27 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the elements of the sensing unit and some of the elements of the calculation unit and some of the elements of the stimulation unit are located in a component that is attached to a first tooth located in one jaw of a patient.